Balloon-expandable, crush-resistant locking stent and method of loading the same

An intraluminal, crush resistant stent for implantation in a body lumen, comprising:

• at least one resilient, zig-zag shaped strut curved to form a hoop, wherein each zig-zag has an amplitude that decreases or increases as the strut is stretched or relaxed, respectively;
• a base section disposed on the hoop having an opening sized sufficiently large to accommodate the amplitude entirely as defined by the zig-zag strut when it is stretched and passed therethrough.

An intraluminal, crush resistant stent for implantation in a body lumen, comprising:

• at least one resilient, zig-zag waveform strut having a proximal end and a free distal end, wherein the strut is curved to form a hoop, and wherein each zig-zag waveform has an amplitude that decreases or increases as the strut is stretched or relaxed, respectively;
• a base section extending from the proximal end, having at least one opening for passing the distal end of the strut therethrough to close the hoop, wherein the opening has an interior dimension that simultaneously engages adjacent maximum and minimum peak amplitudes of the waveform when the strut is stretched.